Score:0

Remote rescue USB with no keyboard & mouse

br flag

I have a friend in a different city who has an Ubuntu box that won't boot - it powers on, but that's as far as it gets. They don't have a monitor or keyboard and I'm too far away to easily just drop by and sort it out.

Is there a way I can create a bootable USB image that I can SSH into so that I can attempt a console-based rescue?

This is a bit ... of a stretch but I was thinking:

  • Ubuntu rescue CD ISO
  • Update to start SSH
  • Public key auth with my pubkey preinstalled

I can get him to open a port forward, but ... the other bit is a bit tricky.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

hu flag
...and how can that bootable USB help your friend in another city?
ar flag
If they don't have a monitor or keyboard, how do you know the Ubuntu box does not boot? How old is this box? Does it have legacy BIOS or modern UEFI?
waltinator avatar
it flag
Ask your friend to courier (or mail or sneakernet) the system to you; attach screen & keyboard; fix; courier it back.
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